Window regulator



J. H. ROETHEL WINDOW REGULATOR Filed Feb. 11, 1942 INVENTOR J51? zaefel- ORNEY 4 Patented Oct. 8, 1946 J ohn' H. Roethel Detroit, Mich.,.assignor to Marvel. Equipment Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan.

Application February 11, 1942; Serial No. 430,327.

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to window regulators for raising and lowering the window glass panels of window structures, the invention being particularly adapted for application to windows of various types of vehicles, especially motor vehicles or automobiles. This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 275,957, filed May 26, 1939, and application Serial No. 216,534, filed June 29, 1938, Patent No; 2,236,450, issued March 25, 1941.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved window regulator embodying improved means for pivotally connecting the arm or arms of the regulator to the lower edge of the window glass whereby improvements in the operation of the window regulator are achieved and whereby the installation of the window regulator with the window glass is facilitated and greatly simplified thereby effecting substantial savings in production.

Another object of theinvention is to provide an improved window regulatoriin which improved means is provided for connecting the outer end of the swinging regulator arm to a member secured to the lower edge of the sliding window panel, such means in its preferred form comprising a transverse stud or pin fixed adjacent the outer end of the arm and having a pair of abutments in its length, one for confining'a yieldable washer or compression element on the stud and the other for holding in place a device for locking the stud in an aperture in the member after insertion of the stud through such aperture. As a result of this construction a very simple and efiicient means is provided for connecting. the regulator arm to the member at the lower edge of the window panel, the improved construction being such as to facilitate quick installation of the window regulator on the assembly line;

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference. characters designate corresponding partsin theseveral views.

Fig; 1 is an inner fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section, of an automobile door embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the window regulator- Fig: 3 is an enlarged'section taken substantially through lines 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the-direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is-an exploded view of the construction 2 shown in Fig. 3 illustrating the various parts preparatory to their assembly. r

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section'takensubstantially throughlines 5 5 of Fig. 2 looking inthe direc-- tion ofthe arrows.-

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of. other embodiments and ofLbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also. it is to be understood that thephraseology or terminology employed hereinis for. the purpose of description and not of limitation.

InFig. 1 there is illustratedan automobile door D which may be a front door including a front sloping pillar Aand a rear. upright pillar B. The upper portion of the door is provided with a window opening adapted to be closed by means of a vertically slidable glass or other transparent panel. [2. Secured to the lower edge of the panel I2 is a channel bar or glass retainer member l5 which carries intermediate its ends a depending horizontal guide or bracket member -I 6 to which the outer end of one of the regulator arms is. connected. The glass retainer member l5; which'usually. comprises a lined channel embracing the lower edge of the glass 12 (see Figs. 3 and. 4 carries at its. rear end a compression guide device indicated generally by the numeral 11. The. member. l5 also. carries at its forward enda compression guide device indicated generally by the numeral Hi1. These compression guide devices carry suitable elements adapted to travel along fixed guides. l8 secured. within the window well of the vehicle door, thus providing means for guiding the window panel into and out of this well. It will be understood that the particular means for guiding, the window panel does not bear upon the present invention and hence that any means may be employed. for this purpose.

The. guide device I10 in the present instance includes an angle. bracket havin a. horizontal extension l9 generally similar in constructionto the. bracket. IS. The. bracket I6. is. provided with ahorizontal guide slot 20 of suitablelength and in'turnthebracket I9. is provided with an aperture 21 which in the present instance is somewhat elongated. The construction of the brackets I6 and 19' at the locality of the slot 20 and aperture 2| in these members is substantially identical and is illustrated in Figs. 3 and- 4. These slot portions 2|l-and'2l in the; brackets lii'and 19 provide means for connecting the outer ends of the window regulator arms to the window panel l2, and in the preferred construction herein illustrated the connections of the regulator arms to the brackets l6 and I9 are identical and are also illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing.

The window regulator mechanism includes a pair of intersecting or crossed arms 22 and 23. The outer end of each of these arms, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is provided with a projecting transverse stud 24 having its reduced inner end passing through the end of the arm and riveted thereto at 24a. The shank of the stud, outwardly of the arm, is formed in two diameters, including a cylindrical portion'25 adjacent the arm of one diameter and a cylindrical portion 26 of greater diameter extending from the portion'25; The shank is thus of stepped formation with the inner cylindrical portion 25 separated from the outer cylindrical portion 26 by an annular shoulder or abutment 21. The outer end of the stud is formed with an annular groove 28 extending entirely around the stud. Mounted upon the lesser diameter shank portion 25 is a pressed meta1 disk or washer 29. This washer is in'the nature of a compression element shiftable longitudinally upon the shank portion 25 between the face of the regulator arm 22 or 23 and the abutment or shoulder 21. The washer 29 is formed with a central apertured portion 29a which is offset inwardly toward the regulator arm so that the portion 29a around the central aperture is adapted to engage the shoulder 21. Outwardly of this portion 29a the washer is dished to provide an annular portion 2% which extends outwardly to overlap the shoulder 21 and a portion of the shank 26 when the washer 29 is at its outer limit in engagement with the shoulder 21. Interposed between the dished washer or disk 29 and the regulator arm is a compression spring 30 which normally forces the washer to its outer limit with the apertured portion 29a in engagement with the shoulder 21.

In the assembled construction as illustrated in Fig. 3 the stud 24 is interlocked within the aperment 32 is generally U-shaped having flared or diverging ends 32a and curved gripping portions 32bwhich terminate adjacent the closed end of the element in constricted or neck portions 32c. Thus, when the device 32 is pressed onto the end of the stud the ends 32a spread apart to permit the curved portions 32b to spring into the groove 28 and securely lock the washer 3| in place against withdrawal.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the opposite sides 33 of eachof the slots 20 and 2| are inclined or taper inwardly. These tapering sides or edge portions of the slot terminate in oppositely flared or diverging edge flanges 34 and form therebetween a smoothly curved or constricted neck 35. The height of the slot or aperture formed by the neck 35 corresponds substantially to the diameter of the shank portion 26 of the stud. From the foregoing it will be seen that the portion 29b of the washer 23 provides a bearing portion engageable with the tapered walls 33. The shank portion 26 is preferably of sufficient length to project through the aperture or slot 2| when the bearing portion 29b engages the Walls 33 upon insertion of the stud through the aperture or slot. In order, however, to lock the stud in the aperture pressure is applied to the regulator arm so as to force the washer back against the spring 30 thereby permitting installation of the washer 3| and the fastener element 32.

As previously stated, the window regulator comprises a pair of intersecting crossed arm 22 and 23. The arm 22 intermediate its ends has a widened or enlarged portion 36 formed with an arcuate slot 31. The arm 23 is pivoted through the medium of a stud 38 to the portion 36 at the center of curvature of the slot 31 and is formed with an offset 39 extending through the slot 31, thereby positioning the inner end portion of the arm 23 at one face of the arm 22 and the outer portion thereof at the opposite face. The offset 39 may be formed on a radius so as to have a transverse curvature corresponding to or approximating the curvature of the slot 31. When the arms swing in raising and lowerin the window glass the offset 39 will travel within the slot 31, this slot being preferably of sufficient length to prevent engagement of the offset with either end of the slot in the extreme positions of the arms during normal operation so as to prevent chatter or vibratory noises when the window regulator is idle in either of its extreme operating positions, these positions being shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1. It will be seen, however, that the arcuate slot 31 provides a means for limiting the extent of the angular swingin movement of the arms in either direction.

In the present instance the pivot stud or pin 38 has a reduced end extending through a hole in the widened portion or boss 36 and riveted thereto, see Fig. 2. The stud, therefore, is fixed to the arm 22 and the cylindrical portion 38a of the stud beyond the arm portion 36 provides a bearing or journal for the portion 23a of the arm 23. The enlarged cylindrical end of the stud or pin 38 is provided with a kerf or slot 381) within which is anchored the inner end of a spiral clock type counterbalancing spring 40. The outer end 40a of this spring is bent to provide a hook which is hooked over the upper edge of an offset 23b in the arm 23 thereby anchoring the spring to this aim. The portion 23a of the arm beyond the offset 23b bears against the central portion of the enlargement 36 and is journaled upon the bearing portion 38a of the stud or pin 38.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the arm 23 is secured as by riveting to a gear segment 4| carried by a mounting plate 43 adapted to be secured to the inner door panel. The gear 4| and hence the arm 23 turns on the mounting plate about an axis 42. The gear is driven in conventional manner by a handle operated pinion 44.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the arm 23 is free to rotate upon the pin or stud 38 which is rigidly secured to the arm 22 and that the spring 43 tends to rotate the arms in opposite diment is preferably assembled with the window arm 22 is connected to the inner door panel by means of a study 45 adapted to travel within a guide" slot 46 in the panel; The walls of theguide slot 46 are preferablyforme'd in the same manner as shown at 33, 34 and and the connection of the arm 22 within the guide slot 46 is preferably the same as that illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. After the cross arms have been installed. upon the inner door or body panel they are cranked tion shown in Fig. 3. Pressure is applied to the, outer end. of each arm suiiiciently to force back the washer 29 against. its spring 30 whereupon the retainer washer 31 is placed on the end of. the stud and the spring device 32 is'snapped. into position as shown in Fig. 3; Thus, it will be seen that it is. not necessary, as. heretofore, to. crank the window glass down lower'than it's normal limit of movement in. order to install the. window regulator therewith. Consequently,' quick and easy installation is possible by virtue of the present invention. Installation of the cross arms is also facilitated and materially simplified by virtue of the arrangement of. the spring 40 connecting the arms together at the locality of their crossing. The spring constantly urges the arms toward their raised positions shown in Fig. 1 and hold them in predetermined angular positions. Furthermore, by connecting the arms together through the lifting or counterbal'ancing spring 40 a relatively lighter and less expensive spring may be utilized than heretofore and. easier operation of the window is achieved.

It will-be noted that a stud. has been provided on the end of the window regulator arm which has in effect two shoulders in the length of the stud. One shoulder, which is near thearm, limits outward movement of the compression element or washer toward the outer end of the stud. Thus, when the compression element. or washer is at its outer limit ther is a portion of the. stud which projects therebeyond. and which is. readily insertable through the aperture or slot in the member at the lower edge of the window panel. The washer cannot slide to the shoulder at the end of the stud as in previous constructions. In addition to this desirable construction which facilitates assembly, there is also provided a shoulder at the outer end of the stud which provides an abutment adapted to hold a device, such as the U-shaped snap-on pin 32, onto the stud so as to lock the stud within the aperture or guide slot in the member at the edge of the window panel. Furthermore, it will be noted that the compression washer is so dished or oiiset centrally where the washer engages the shoulder as to provide an outer annular portion which projects over or outwardly of the shoulder for engagement with the wall of the channel member. This construction provides a take up and permits the washer to be forced back toward the arm a suitable distance without, however, the flanged edge 35 of the aperture or guide slot becoming trapped behind the shoulder I21 causing objectionable rattling or chattering during operation of the vehicle. It will be noted that this advantage is obtained even in constructions where the Walls 33 have less taper or inclination than herein shown, or substantially none at all.

I claim:

1. A window regulator comprising a swinging arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner end adjacent one end of the arm, said stud hav- 5 ing. two spaced inner and outer abutments in itslength, a yieldable washer on the stud slidable outwardly under springpressure in the direction of the outer end of the stud between the'armand the inner abutment at a distance from the outer abutment and limited by said inner abutment against outward movement on the stud, 'said stud being insertable'through an aperture in a member when assembling the regulator therewith, a device attachable to the stud after said insertion thereof and held in place. by the outer abutment for locking the stud in the aperture, and a spring interposed between the washer and arm in engagement therewith for pressing the washer outwardly.

arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner endadjacent one end of the arm, said stud having two spaced inner and outer annular abutments in its length, a yieldable washer slidable on the stud between the arm and the inner abutment at a distance from the outer abutment and limited by said inner abutment against outward movement onv the stud toward the outer end thereof, said stud being insertable through an aperture in a member when assembling the regulator therewith, and a' snap-on spring device attachable to the stud after said insertion thereof and held in place by the outer abutment for locking the stud in the aperture.

3. A window regulator comprising a swinging arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner end adjacent, one endof saidarm, said stud having inner and outer annular abutments and a cylindrical. portion therebetween, a yieldable washer located on the stud and slidable under spring pressure toward the outer end of the stud between the arm and the inner abutment and limited by said last abutment against outward movement on the stud, and means attachable to the stud and engaging the outer abutment for c'onnecti'ng the stud to a member, said stud being insertable through an aperture in said member having substantally no greater height than the diameter of said cylindrical portion.

4. A window regulator comprising a swinging arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner end adjacent one end of said arm, said stud having an annular shoulder intermediate its ends and a shank portion projecting outwardly there- 65 from, a yieldable compression element on the stud between said shoulder and arm and limited by the shoulder against movement on the stud toward the outer end thereof, said element having a central apertured portion oifset inwardly toward the arm to provide a part engageable with said shoulder, said element also having an annular part projecting outwardly beyond said first named part and beyond the outer edge of the element and also adapted to extend outwardly beyond said shoulder when the element is in engagement therewith.

5. A window regulator comprising an arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner end to the arm, said stud having an annular abutment, a

washer yieldable on the stud longitudinally thereof and mounted on the stud between the arm and said abutment and limited by said abutment against outward movement on the stud, said stud having an annular groove spaced outwardly of said abutment, a washer insertable over the 2. A window regulatorcomprising a swinging outer end of the stud to a position on the stud inwardly of said groove, and a generally U- shaped spring pin adapted to be forced upon the stud and having a curved portion fitting snugly into said groove and anchored therein against movement longitudinally of the stud by the Walls of the groove, said pin providing an abutment to retain said washer on the stud against removal.

fitting into said groove for retainingthe washer against outward movement on the stud beyond said groove.

7. A window regulator comprising a swinging arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner end adjacent one end of said arm, said stud having inner and outer annular abutments and a cylindrical portion therebetween, a yieldable washer located on the stud and slidable under spring pressure toward the outer end of the stud between the arm and the inner abutment and limited by said last abutment against outward movement on the stud, and means attachable to the stud and engaging the outer abutment for connecting the stud to a member.

8. A window regulator comprising an arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner end to the arm, said stud having an outer cylindrical portion and also an inner cylindrical portion of lesser diameter between the arm and said outer cylindrical portion, said stud having an annular shoulder separating said cylindrical portions, a washer slidable under spring pressure outwardly along said inner cylindrical portion and trapped between said shoulder and arm against outward movement beyond the shoulder, and a, device attachable to the outer end portion of the stud outwardly of the shoulder for locking the stud in an aperture in a member after insertion of the stud through said aperture.

- 9. A window regulator comprising an arm having a stud fixed at its inner end thereto, the stud having a cylindrical shank with an outer portion of one diameter formed with an abutment and an inner portion of less diameter, a compression element slidable under spring pressure toward the outer end of the stud on the portion of the shank of lesser diameter, a stop shoulder on the stud preventing movement of the element onto the portion of larger diameter, spring means interposed between the element and arm for shifting the element outwardly toward the shoulder, and a device releasably attachable to the stud against said abutment for locking the stud in an aperture in a member.

10. A window regulator comprising an arm having a stud fixed at its inner end thereto, the stud having a shank with an outer portion and an inner portion and a shoulder between said portions, a compression element slidable under spring pressure toward the outer end of the stud on the inner portion of the shank between said shoulder and arm and limited against movement onto the outerportion by said shoulder, spring means interposed between the arm and element for shifting the element outwardly toward the shoulder, said compression element having a bearing portion extending outwardly beyond said inner shank portion and beyond the outer edge of the element when the element is held at its outer limit of movement by said shoulder.

11.'A window regulator comprising an arm having a transverse stud fixed at its inner end to the arm, said stud having an annular abutment, a washer yieldable on the stud longitudinally thereof and mounted on the stud between the arm and said abutment and limited by said abutment against outward movement on the stud, said washer having a central apertured portion engageable with said abutment and an outer bearing portion extending outwardly of the arm beyond said apertured portion and also beyond said abutment when the apertured portion is in engagement with the abutment, the outer end of the stud having an abutment, and a device attachable to said outer end and cooperable with said last-named abutment for locking the stud in an aperture in a member after insertion of the stud through said aperture.

JOHN H. ROETHEL. 

